The Worst Part is That it had to go

No. It's been a year already? Can't be. Then the realization sets in. After 12 all-too-short months and 20,022 miles on the odometer, it's time for the M3 to go home. Panicked, the pleading begins. Then the bargaining.

Anything we could to do hold on to our car for just a little longer, to feel one more embrace from the seats, to experience one more blast to redline, was fair game. Maybe I'll grab the keys and run. Mexico isn't that far...

It wasn't long after this white sedan unassumingly slid into our garage that we called it World's Best All-Around Car. Initially, we were enamored of its package, an easy blend of speed, handling, good looks, roominess, and practicality. But surely, the World's Best All-Around Car title was a touch hyperbolic, right? Short answer: Nope.

Our M3 was a sedate and luxurious sedan as well as a supremely rewarding driving machine. Docile in inclement weather and smooth enough to transport your grandparents (if you can resist temptation), the M3 was equally primed for backcountry road-smash mode, where it would fire every synapse in your brain related to driving pleasure.And then you'd find the M Drive button, which holds your preferred throttle, traction, and damping settings. With one press, everything somehow managed to get better. This is the M3's genius.

There are faster cars, yes, and there are a few that are more rewarding to drive. But of those, we challenge you to find one that combines speed, thrill, and daily driving duties as deftly as the M3.Now, before you send your angrily worded e-mails, check that list again. Which ones offer free scheduled maintenance? Our M3's upkeep, carwashes excluded, totaled $0. BMW covered each oil change, service, and inspection under its 4-year/50,000-mile ultimate service program. BMW also repaired at no charge the two outside issues we experienced: a leaking windshield-washer-fluid pump and a door-catch adjustment to silence a creak from the rear passenger area. What BMW didn't cover, though, were replacement tires at 20,000 miles -- one set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics for $972.09.

"But there must've been something they didn't like!" you might be yelling. Well, fuel mileage was a bit of a bummer. The farthest our M3 traveled on a tank was 288.9 miles, and our observed 15.6 mpg is worse than that of our long-term Nissan GT-R. But when you're charging north of 5000 rpm every day, it's hard not to expect such a result.BMW's twin-clutch transmission exhibited a few faults, too. On the occasional cold start-up, the gearbox would engage lower gears somewhat hesitantly and with a clunk, but it smoothed out as everything warmed up. Overall, the transmission's acceptance ratio was high, with only a few befuddled Luddites craving a manual. One such example was associate Web editor Kirill Ougarov, who complained, "It's sluggish at slow speeds unless you bury the throttle. I could not make any sense of its shift logic. Sometimes it would downshift, sometimes it wouldn't."

Executive editor Ed Loh far preferred tugging at the wheel-mounted paddles. "Inclines and declines had me toggling the paddles for the right gear. Essentially, the DCT is better used as a manual in these tricky situations, a point that I think will be lost on those who clicked the option box because they don't know how to drive manual."Others (like yours truly) wouldn't have an M3 any other way. Sure, abrupt throttle changes would prompt aggressive downshifts -- as you would rightfully expect -- but judging the degree of throttle that triggers two downshifts instead of three could be difficult. The downside? A little too much acceleration. Oh, bother. But when driven smoothly, like your everyday family sedan, the DCT always found the ideal gear and switched seamlessly at highway speeds. Put your mom in the driver's seat, and our money says she wouldn't realize she was driving something special.

But now it's gone -- the Mexico dash didn't pan out. And while we now have time to let the bruises heal from the fights over its keys, we realize that the M3 has left a hole in our long-term fleet that won't soon be filled. Finding another car that pleases its driver in such myriad forms might as well be the quest for the Holy Grail; the only obvious replacement for our M3 is the next one. The World's Greatest All-Around Car? Unquestionably.From The Logbook

"Yes, we love manuals. But, man, in L.A., I'm taking the DCT. I absolutely love the M steering wheel; it's so meaty and just the right size. I like having the paddles on the wheel instead of on the steering column; it makes it easier to pull them when cornering. Steering feel is just so...perfect."- Mike Floyd"I drove it to Zion, Utah, and back over a long weekend and found the M3 to be an excellent long haul cruiser-even in 100-degree heat. On the way back, I spent about 8 hours behind the wheel, much of the time stuck in Vegas traffic, yet did not suffer any low back pain-great seats."- Ed Loh

"I can't think of another automobile that does so many things so well-and in such a right-size package. If you put an F1 car and a premium sedan in a blender, the M3 would be the cocktail that pours out. Mmmm, nothing else like it."- Arthur St. Antoine"The M3 is as suave as George Clooney in a Brioni tux. It's at once a truly inspiring sport sedan and a genuinely relaxed, sophisticated daily driver."- Angus MacKenzie

@Nature10879 I think that one mustang you are talking about is a rare case. I personally own a 2004 mustang gt with 70k miles on the clock. Its fully equipped and I just have to say that the only expenses I have had in the years are replacing the tires, oil change and the replaced the clutch a few thousand miles back. Although the interior came since 1994 I think its well kept and everything looks pretty much in good condition since nothing is falling apart. I love my mustang and the engine runs like a champ no problems whatsoever and I am not one of those persons who kitty their cars as a matter of fact I like listening to my borla exhaust high in the revs. My only complain is filling the tank a bit more often then I would if I was to drive it normally. Just like my mustang which is a 2004 my friend has a 2007 auto mustang gt and he has had zero problems with it. I think he just took it to the dealer because the airbag needed to adjustment but that's it.

I am not really a fan of the M3 but I know its a great car with a phenomenal engine. Frankly I will rather spend my money in a 2011 mustang gt with the track pack but that is just me. I do see the appeal for a high luxury sport coupe. I will feel guilty trashing this babe. The M3 is for those who can either afford it and enjoy its performance every once in a while or they just simply want to know the performance is there. Don't get me wrong I will love to have and M3 but realistically I cannot afford to own one.

@mikem126 you are right. The only problem with bmws or any sports car is that after the warrant runs out, they are expensive to fix or maintain. On the other hand, people who afford these cars should be able to keep up with maintenance. My friend drives a 94 525i and it has 260,000 and it still runs like charm. He's got a mechanic and can afford to fix it but that thing is more reliable than my stupid acura. Also a co-worker has a 2006 mustang that is having quality issues. The speedometer don't work, he tries to keep up with traffic to estimate regular speed. The inside is falling apart and there is a serious problem with the motor. He wants to sale it since the warrant run out. He got it for cash after a settlement, This kinda makes me think twice about buying ford. Same as a Mazda i see serious issues as time ages. For those that can't afford expensive cars, stop listening to the media and Jd power and associate 90 day reliability..or dependability..whatever they call it. Ask pple. who own these cars.

@ skyguy:I've had 2 BMW M3's, 2 325i's and they were very reliable. My highest mileage BMW (a 1995 325i) was 145,000 miles before my daughter totaled it (wasn't her fault). It's a myth that BMW's are unreliable.

OMG!! The world's most *perfect* car is leaving Motortrend. BMW and Porsche are flawless. Even if other cars can outperform them, there's always a reason BMW and Porsche is better. They are automotive-Gods!!! I'm gonna kill myself ;)

MT should have a drawing after their long term updates. A car like this for Christmas would definitely put me in the holiday spirit:)I saw one for the 1st time the other day. I own a 2011 GT 5.0 and was very impressed by the M3. I agree with MT, probably best all around car.Oh yea, I'll take the sedan with DCT. I have a manual stang but, have fell in love with the DCT in the G37 sedan my wife has(who took it from me and gave me her civic). Honestly though, if Infiniti or nissan(take your pick) offered a G37 at this caliber, I'll go broke trying to it. In my opinion, the G37 sedan is 1 of the best poor man sedans out there.

Does 89 lb hurt this car so much? I know this is a sedan which is a little heavier than the coupe but this thing is a dog in comparison to the one tested at C&D. 3 tenths and over 3 mph slower in the 1/4 mile :-(

While I like the E92 M3 I also believe that the M3 should have never had a V8. BMW makes the best inline engines in the world and they ought to stick with the one that brought them to the dance!! I look forward to the next generation M3 and the return of inline power to the M3 !!